Alyssa’s Ride benefits multiple programs

The 7th Annual Alyssa’s Ride is set for Saturday, 8 a.m., June 8, beginning at Easton City Park in Easton, Kan.

The ATV/UTV Poker Run is an event that honors the late Alyssa Hutchens and raises money for her favorite charities. Alyssa was just 13 years old when she suddenly collapsed in her home. When she was life-flighted to Children’s Mercy Hospital doctors found that she had contracted H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu), along with strep throat and pneumonia. 

After she developed sepsis and suffered organ failure, doctors gave her a 20 percent chance of surviving. But she was determined to heal and resume her life. She slowly recovered from her near-death illness and many physical and occupational therapists helped her get her life back.

Her childhood had included a multitude of activities, including playing volleyball with the girls, shooting hoops with the boys, hunting and fishing with her dad, riding 4-wheelers and jet skis, watching sports, and taking care of her 4-H animals. So, recovering her ability to enjoy physical activities was very important to her. 

Her childhood dream was to go to college to play basketball and then become a nurse.

”They taught her to use her hands again to write, eat, text and of course dribble the basketball,” her mother, Amy, said. “She had to relearn how to walk, jump, run and regain her strength.

”While she became stronger, she had to give up playing the sports she loved. Since she could no longer compete in sports, her parents bought her a 4-wheeler so she could still enjoy being outdoors.

She spent hours riding it around her home and she and her parents took regular family rides down country roads. When the family found out about a local ATV Poker Run, held annually, Alyssa and her dad, Marcus, rode their ATVs in the event. “She loved the ride so much she told me they all had to attend the following summer, which we did and had a blast,” Amy said.

Alyssa soon began volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House, where her parents lodged during her extensive 43-day treatments. She helped raised funds to help children and their families who were battling illnesses.

She also became a volunteer at Children’s Mercy in physical therapy.

Alyssa volunteered in the Critical Care Transport Department at Children’s Mercy during the summer of 2014.

“She wanted to learn everything there was to learn about the department and give back to those who once saved her life,” Amy said. “Alyssa found joy in helping in an area where she was once a patient.”

After her recovery she decided she wanted to become a critical care transport nurse. She began taking college courses at Kansas City Kansas Community College and began going on college visits. She made the decision to attend Missouri Western State University, where she received her CNA license and she began working at a senior living center.

Alyssa passed away unexpectedly at the age of 16, on Nov. 10, 2014. In her memory, in March 2016, Remembering Alyssa, Inc., a 501(c)(3) public charity was approved, focusing on raising money to empower youth and adults to make a difference through education, make a hospital experience more comfortable for children, keep families with hospitalized children close to each other, give hope through clean water to those in Uganda, and strengthen the community by building relationships and supporting those in need.

In memory of Alyssa and her love of the first ATV Poker Run she attended, her parents, Marcus and Amy Hutchens began an annual ATV ride to celebrate her life and make an impact through giving. The upcoming ride on June 8 is an opportunity for people of all ages to come together for a day of fun and fond memories of Alyssa. The event will be a 60-mile ride. A meal will be provided with registration, there will be raffles and prizes, and event T-shirts will be available.

The cost is $20/driver, $10/passenger and $10/each additional hand. Registration is at 8 a.m. and the ride begins at 11 a.m. The ride route is approximately 60 miles of country roads in Leavenworth, Jefferson, and Atchison counties. There will be five poker stops along the route.

One-hundred percent of all proceeds benefit Alyssa’s favorite charities which include:two scholarships, A Chance to Save a Life and Alyssa Lane Hutchens Family Memorial Scholarship at Pleasant Ridge High School which Alyssa attended; the Alyssa Lane Hutchens Critical Care Transport Scholarship at Children’s Mercy; Hoops for Happiness at Children’s Mercy to provide Nerf basketball hoops to patients to enjoy while they are hospitalized, because Alyssa loved basketball and this was her favorite thing to do while confined to her hospital bed; sports equipment for Physical/Occupational Therapy at Children’s Mercy; support for Ronald McDonald House in Kansas City; Catholic Charities-Leavenworth Emergency Assistance Center where Alyssa also served as a volunteer and provided donations; Easton USD 449 for student support; Bell 4-H Club where Alyssa was a member; and the Leavenworth County 4-H Swine Project which was Alyssa’s all-time favorite 4-H project.

In Alyssa’s memory, a water well, Alyssa’s Well, was dug in Uganda, Africa serving more than 2,100 people because Alyssa always dreamed of traveling to Africa to help others but never got the chance. Remembering Alyssa, Inc. has also successfully funded a second water well, Remembering Alyssa’s Well, in Uganda serving more than 2,000 people. This organization would not be possible without proceeds from Alyssa’s Ride.

“In six years, we have raised a total of $75,801 for Alyssa’s favorite charities,” Amy said. “The outpouring of support we receive for Alyssa’s Ride is unbelievable. We have people travel from out of state for this one-day event to raise money in memory of our daughter, who they never knew, for her favorite charities.”

Her family believe that Alyssa would be absolutely amazed at the number of people who attend this event in her memory, and who have a love for riding just like she did. Amy said her daughter would also love the ‘water and mud trails’ her dad always incorporates in the ride route.

”We welcome anyone and everyone with an ATV, UTV, Jeep or dirt bike to take part in our event,” Amy said. “Even if you don’t ride, you can still help the cause by volunteering, becoming a sponsor, or donating to help continue the important work of helping those who are in need. Sponsors and donations can be done on our website at rememberingalyssa.live. Pre-registration for the event along with T-shirts are also available on our website. The organization greatly appreciates your involvement and participation to help make this charity ride a successful event. Every gift counts and you make a tremendous difference.”

For more information go to Remembering Alyssa on Facebook or rememberingalyssa.live.

Event coordinators: Marcus Hutchens, 913-306-5592 and Amy Hutchens, 913-547-1168 or rememberingalyssainc@gmail.com.